Licensed Education Counsellors may charge you a fee for their advice, but they often are paid by the New Zealand education provider for their enrolment services – and then many do not charge the student anything. This means that their advice often is not charged separately to the student. However, many education counsellors offer additional services, i.e. student visa application work (their are not allowed to give visa advice for anyone else but the student, unless they are also a Licensed Immigration Adviser or NZ-registered lawyer), travel and insurance advice, accommodation referrals in New Zealand, etc. for which they might charge additional fees.

A Licensed Education Counsellor will work with the student and their families to help select the most appropriate New Zealand education provider for a future pathway to a career, to work visas, residence in New Zealand or return to work at home. They will understand the personal and professional goals of each student. This means that a Licensed Education Counsellor applies their knowledge of the different qualifications offered by New Zealand providers, recommends the most suitable program(s) of study.

At the end of the day, only the student decides where and what they wish to study, and the Licensed Education Counsellor is bound to follow the students’ wishes. Note that ECANZ counsellors must adhere to their Code of Conduct which describes obligations when there might be a conflict of interest, and they must upskill through Continuous Professional Development courses (which are FREE at ECANZ). They must also keep written records of any advice they give and offer a written agreement.